Creativity Blog Series: Lynn Lucas. A less than perfect childhood forged a love for art.

Lynn Lucas loves art. She’s been doing it for a long time, first as an escape from a dysfunctional step-mother as a child and then, heading into her adult life simply because she loved to draw and paint. Lynn classes her painting as a hobby, which is the way many self-effacing creatives tend to categorise themselves. But many hobbies morph into something greater and very soon Lynn’s work will be showcased at a new gallery that is to open in Moonbi near Tamworth NSW in the New Year. The gallery owner is Penny Shephard, daughter of Larry Pickering the cartoon artist , and a well-known oil / acrylic painter in her own right.

I’m a huge art lover. When ever I visit a major city I try and visit a gallery. I find them a major inspiration for my writing and also an incredibly enlightening environment to spend some time in, so when Lynn shared one of her fabulous paintings on facebook I knew I had struck gold. I’ve posted paintings on my site in the past but Lynn gave me an idea for a new blog series, one dedicated to creativity. After the success of the ‘Inspirational Women’ series which I ran earlier this year, creativity was the perfect next step. So thank you Lynn.

Lynn is my first guest in this series which will highlight regional and rural ‘creatives’ across a number of fields. Some may be just emerging in their chosen fields, others already firmly established, but all share a common goal to inspire, inspire others and quite simple enjoy what they are doing. I hope this series shines a light on some very diverse talent.

I asked Lynn who lives in the lower hunter part of Lake Macquarie three quick questions:

1. When did you start drawing / painting?

I grew up in a family that was a little dysfunctional, my step-mother was a hard woman to have in my life, so I began to draw in my bedroom, a quiet calm space. I started drawing boxes, I don’t know why but when I began to draw the world became a different place and I was in a safe and happy place. I came in the top 10% of the state for art in my leaving certificate in high school and was hoping to become a art teacher but life lead me in the opposite direction. It was not until I entered my forties that art came back into my life.

2. What medium do you most enjoy?

I paint in watercolour and pen and watercolour pencils and I also love just drawing in lead pencils. I have entered quite a few art shows and have been fortunate enough to have good sales as well as winning several first places in competition.

3. Describe your work area?

I’m inspired by the scenes and scenery around me, so I’m quite happy to be perched either indoors or out, depending on my subject, composition and light. Recently while on holidays I was literally drawing and painting on the move. However at home we have dedicated a spare bedroom to my painting endeavours. It is full of books of all sorts, a computer and my art table. There are paintings on the walls and pictures of my family, both past and present, its my favourite room in the house.